It was early on a Friday morning when Ianto loaded the Doctor into the back of the SUV. The day was bright and sunny for a change with the temperature warming up as they headed towards summer. His wedding to Jack was quickly drawing closer and all the invitations had gone out, except for three of them. The first was to John, as he had yet to return from the other universe despite his promise of coming back in a month. Jack still had hope that the other man would return but Ianto had his doubts as the time for his return had come and gone. Yet, the evidence was there that he eventually would come back as Jack's vortex manipulator had arrived by mail shortly before the month had passed. To Jack, it was proof he had found his way back but Ianto was convinced that it had been sent out before he left for the other universe. Only time would tell which of them were right.
The second invitation was to Jack's daughter Alice and his grandson, Stephen. That invitation would be hand-delivered by Jack within the next few days. He was positive that Alice wouldn't come to his wedding but he still wanted to tell her in person that he was getting married again. The last one was for Ianto to deliver. It would have been easy to just post it to his sister but while he had talked to her several times, he had failed to mention his relationship with Jack. He thought it would be better to tell her in person that he was engaged to a man rather than have her think that the invitation was a joke.
"Are you ready?" Ianto asked as he hestiantly climbed into the driver's seat. The Doctor nodded happily from the backseat. He had grown to trust being alone with Ianto again and was scared of traveling with the Welshman, even if he didn't have Artemis for comfort. While he was with Ianto, Jack was using the opportunity to take the large dog to the vet for a checkup. They agreed that it would be better if the Doctor didn't so he was with Ianto for the day.
"We going?" the Doctor wondered as Ianto failed to start the SUV as he wondered if it would be better to wait until another day to see his sister.
"Yeah," Ianto sighed. He started the SUV, starting on the familiar drive to his sister's home. He kept one eye on the Time Lord as he drove but the Doctor was content to just stare out the window. They arrived at his sister's house without incident and Ianto parked in front. He got out of the SUV and the Doctor got out behind him without prompting. He reached for Ianto's hand and he took it holding it tight in order to make the Doctor feel secure. He didn't like new places but he trusted Ianto and Jack to keep him safe at them, so he didn't fight as together they walked up to the house. Ianto knocked but didn't wait for an answer before letting himself into the home.
"Only me," Ianto called out as they entered. His sister looked up from where she was filling envelopes, the smile broad on her face.
"Oh, bloody hell. We must be in trouble. Or is it Christmas?" Rhiannon wondered making Ianto wince at just how little he saw them. He had once been close to his sister but the two of them had gone their separate ways after their father had died. His sister had gotten married and had two children while he went away to college before joining Torchwood. Torchwood kept him busy and now with the Doctor and Jack, he just didn't seem to have the time to see them. "Who's your friend?"
"This is Doctor John Smith," Ianto answered.
"Hello John," Rhiannon told him, the smile slightly larger.
"Hi," the Doctor whispered. Her smile quickly faded at the soft answer and she looked inquiringly at Ianto.
"How is everyone?" Ianto wondered as he refused to meet her eyes instead looking for his niece and nephew. He found Mica sitting on the couch playing video games and David was sitting near her with his nose in a book. The Doctor released Ianto's hand as he moved closer to the couch as the game caught his eye.
"Everyone is well. The kids had no school today and Johnny is still currently at work. He would like to see you if you can stay," Rhiannon answered as she watched the Doctor and Ianto. Ianto pulled out his wallet taking a five-pound note out of it. He waved it above Mica who paused her game long enough to take it from him.
"Thank you," Mica told him as she stuffed it quickly into her pocket before returning to her game.
"David, your Uncle Ianto's here. You could at least tell him hello," Rhiannon scolded her son softly. He held up his hand and Ianto pressed a note into his palm. He mumbled his thanks as he kept his face in his book. Rhiannon started to scold him but Ianto didn't mind.
"I can't stay long. I only stopped by to say hi," Ianto explained as he considered taking the Doctor and leaving. The Doctor glanced at him briefly before turning his attention back to the telly.
"Oh, that's it, is it? You're just gonna go now?" Rhiannon questioned him. Ianto nodded and she shook her head. "Oh, sit down, you daft sod. I've got some of that spinach dip. And you and me, well, we've got things to talk about."
"What things?" Ianto wondered starting towards the table. The Doctor was still gripping his hand and he left his feet planted firmly on the floor. He didn't want to sit as he was too interested in what was happening on the screen. Rhiannon frowned as she watched their interaction. Her friend had told her that Ianto was in town with a man but watching the Doctor it was clear to her that the man wasn't quite there mentally. She wondered if there was another man in Ianto's life or if Susan had been mistaken.
"I watch?" the Doctor questioned. Ianto nodded releasing the Doctor's hand. The Time Lord leaned on the back of the couch continuing to watch the game while Ianto went to the table.
"You've been seen. Susan on the corner was in town and it was her anniversary, so they went to that posh French place in town by the memorial, and there was you," Rhiannon informed him as she kept one eye on the Doctor.
"So?" Ianto tried to sound bored even if he knew where she was going. He often had dinner with Jack at the small French restaurant that they both enjoyed before the Doctor became part of their lives. Now they went there on special occasions when Martha could keep an eye on him. One of those times had been just last week as they celebrated their upcoming wedding.
"There was you, having dinner with a man," Rhiannon prodded. "Having dinner with a man in a restaurant."
"So? You have dinner with Tina," Ianto answered. He loved Jack and wanted to tell her but had restored to defending himself as she confronted him.
"Not in town. Susan said he was gorgeous. Like a film star. Like an escort," Rhiannon continued.
"He's my boss," Ianto replied causing her smile to reappear.
"She said it was intimate. I said, well, he's had girlfriends, and she said, well, no girl was getting her feet round that table. No chance. Have you gone bender?" Rhiannon wondered. Ianto made a face at her. "Go on. You never tell me anything these days. Dad died, that was it. You were off. You couldn't wait. Like I did something wrong. I didn't, did I?"
"He is very handsome," Ianto agreed with her and Rhiannon's jaw dropped.
"No," she drew out the word in surprise. "You're kidding me. Really, though? Really?" Ianto nodded. Reaching into his pocket he pulled out the wedding invitation handing it to her. Her eyes went wider as she read the words on the card. She looked at him and then back at the card before turning her eyes once more to him. "Christ almighty. He's nice, though, is he? Is he? Oh, my God. I mean, since when?" She rattled on.
"It's weird. It's just different. It's not men, it's just him. It's only him," Ianto told her.
"And me," the Doctor called out from where he was listening to them by the couch.
"Yes, I love you too," Ianto replied loudly. The Doctor bounced a little on his feet, his eyes never leaving the screen. Ianto smiled as he watched him.
"What's the story with him?" Rhiannon asked the concern clear.
"He was badly injured so Jack and I are caring for him. Jack had to take his service dog to the vet, so I agreed to bring him here for the day as we can't leave him at home by himself," Ianto explained.
"Nothing else?" She wondered.
"Nothing else," he reassured her. She looked at the invitation again reading the words on it for the fifth or sixth time. "Will you come?"
"Of course we will be there," she exclaimed. Standing up she moved around the table holding open her arms. Ianto stood giving her a hug. "I'm happy for you and I want to meet him before the wedding."
"You will, I promise," Ianto answered. He released the hug as the door to the home opened again.
"Aye aye, gay boy," Johnny called out. Ianto found his arms full once more as the Time Lord threw himself into his arms for protection at the sound of the strange man's voice. "Is this the lucky man?"
"No, this is just his friend. We are going to be meeting his fiance soon, though," Rhiannon answered before Ianto could.
"Fiance. You're getting married then you smart bastard? Johnny exclaimed. Ianto rolled his eyes as Rhiannon took to shoving the invitation at her husband. Johnny took it, reading it before slapping Ianto hard on the back. "Drinks all around."
"I really shouldn't as I need to get him home soon," Ianto tried.
"Nonsense." Johnny didn't listen as he poured several glasses of whiskey. He handed one to Rhiannon, the Doctor, and Ianto. He toasted Ianto before downing his glass in one go. Rhiannon drank hers slower while the Doctor sniffed the contents. Ianto took it from him setting it on the table as he didn't want to be alone with the Doctor during his reexperience with alcohol. He took a sip of his own then set both drinks on the table. Johnny gave him a hard time but he was firm about not drinking. Giving up, Johnny finished the glasses.
"Can you at least stay for dinner?" Rhiannon asked.
"Not tonight," Ianto told her. He stayed a little while longer than using the Doctor as an excuse to leave, left before they could convince him to stay for the evening meal. Rhiannon followed him out. They made plans to meet up again while they got back into the SUV. He promised once more that he would see her soon as he put the SUV in drive going quickly down the street.
"I want a game," the Doctor informed him as they started home. Ianto didn't answer as he tried to figure out how he was going to tell Jack that not only did they have a meal planned for Sunday with his sister but he had also introduced the Doctor to video games. He had the entire conversation planned out as he pulled up to their home. Jack's SUV was sitting in its normal spot and the Doctor practically jumped out of Ianto's in his eagerness to see Jack. He ran into the house with Ianto close behind him ready to explain.